Gambling regulator dealt mixed hand

The Gambling Supervision Commission says it’s seen a sharp rise in the number of complaints made to it over the last year.

In Tynwald next week, the body’s annual report will be laid before the court, showing what it’s achieved over the 12 month period. 

The commission says the overall level of complaints remains very low compared to the total number of players with Manx-based e-gaming firms, but the 367 complaints made last year is a huge jump on the 263 lodged the year before.

The vast majority of this year’s grievances cover issues such as account suspensions, game-rigging, betting disputes, games rules and technical issues.

All but one of the complaints has been resolved satisfactorily according to the commission.

The report also shows the commission is earning money for the government – last year it made a profit of just over £1.5 million.

And the scale of the e-gaming industry is vividly clear: online licensing fees raised almost £1.9 million, compared to £300,000 for casino licensing and £34,000 for gambling and fruit machines.